Display device



May 22, 1923. 1,456,273

E. E. JOHNSON ET AL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Sent. '7. 1922 @Hoz nu) Patented May 22, 1923.

UNITE ELMER E. JOHNSON AND JOSEPH KERSHAW, 0F JOPLIN, MISSOURI. A`

`DISPLAY DEVICE.

Application led September 7, 1922.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that we, ELMER E. JOHNSON and JOSEPH KnRsHAw, citizens of the United States, residing at Joplin, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Display Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to display devices and more particularly to cards or signs having a fixed member and a movable member.

An object of the invention is the provision of an article that may be used for advertising, as a novelty, as a vehicle signal or the like consisting of the representation of an eye having a movable lid that may be operated to simulate winking.

In the present invention we provide a card having an eye pictured or painted thereon. Thel card is provided with the curved slot above the eyeball and an eyelid is pivotally mounted on the back of the card and adapted to be lowered through said slot. The eyelid is normally retained in raised position by suitable means and when lowered again assumes its normal position producing the eiiect of winking.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing,

Figure l is a front elevation,

Figure 2 is a rear elevation,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure l,

Figure 4 is a similar view ou line 4 4 ot Figure 2, and,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Referring t0 the drawings, the reference numeral l designates generally a card or sheet forming the body portion of the device. This card may be made of any suitable material such as card-board, sheet metal or the like, and may be of any desired size and shape. A picture of an eye is formed on the card in any suitable manner. As shown it consists of an eyeball 2 and a pupil 3. Eyelashes 4 and eyebrows 5 may be painted on the card if desired. The card is provided with a curved slot 6 arranged above the eyeball. An eyelid 7 is arranged on the back of the card, being pivoted at one side on a pin 8.` The eyelid, when in raised position, projects slightly through the slot as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings so that it will assumo a position in Serial No. 586,716.

front of the eyeball when lowered. Au guide member 9 may be arranged inthe rear of the eyelid to ketiect proper operation `thereare provided for normally retaining the eyelid in raised position. A. pin l0 is arranged near the top of the card adjacent the free end of the eyelid and a suitable resilient element is attached to this pin and to the eyelid. In the present instance we have shown a rubber-band 11 arranged over the pin and passed through an opening in the lid. Then the lid is lowered the band is stretched as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawings causing it to return the eyelid to the normal position as soon as the actuating force is removed. The eyelid is adapted to bel lowered by a iiexible element l2 which isv attached thereto adjacent the free end and passes through a guide member 13 at the bottom of the card.

The Operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. When the flexible element is pulled a downward pressure is exerted on the free end of the eyelid causing it to lower in front of the eyeball. As soon as the force on the flexible element is released the resilient element 11 returns the eyelid to normal position, thus simulating winking. The guide member 9 limits the upward movement of the eyelid. The lower end of this guide member is secured to the body portion beneath the slot 6 whereby the portion immediately below the slot is flexed rearwardly as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. This permits the eyelid t0 pass over its portion of the card and insures its passage in front of the eyeball when lowered.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape,A

size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described our claim:

l. In a device of the character described, a substantially flat member having the simulation of an eye thereon, said memberbeing provided with a slot adjacent said eye, an

invention, we

eyelid l'orm'ed of similar material pivotally mounted on' the back of said member and pro jecting through said slot, resilient means for normally retaining said eyelid in raised position, and a flexible element secured to said eyelid remote from said pivot whereby it may be lowered over the adjacent portion of said member to simulate winking.

2. In a device of the Character described, a substantially Hat member having the simulation of an eye thereon, said member being provided with a slot above said eye, an eyelid formed of similar material pivotally mounted on the back of said member and projecting through said slot, a Vguide member secured tothe back of said' member and embracing the eyelid to limit its upward movement,7 the lower end of said guide member being secured to said member beneath said slot and adjacent thereto to flex the adjacent portion of said member rearwardly and permit said eyelid to pass through said slot, and means for oscillating said eyelid.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

ELMER E. JOHNSON. JOSEPH KERSHAV. 

